chapter 37

~Tessa~

Tessa came too by the motion of a soft comforting sway. When her eyes opened, she was met with the toned tanned chest of her mate. A deep chuckle rumbled from him as she nuzzled closer, inhaling his sweet citrus scent. Dainin stopped to place her feet on the ground and gently pulled her into his embrace. Tessa immediately felt calm and safe in his strong arms as he towered over her, even with her tall height for a she wolf. She released a sigh of relief as his hand ran over her back, comforting her. When his breath danced over the sensitive skin of her neck it sent a shiver of delight throughout her body.

Dainin pulled away looking into her eyes, his own shone with concern as his gaze seemed to skim over her every feature. Tessa was sure he was looking at a complete mess. She could feel her eyes were swollen from crying earlier and her cheeks reddened with embarrassment. She couldn’t believe he had to witness her lose her composure in such a demeaning way. 

Tessa looked away, breaking their connection on instinct, but Dainin’s large hand caressed her cheek as his fingertips moved her matted hair away from her face. “Tessa, we don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, but please don’t feel ashamed,” he assured her, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “I will never judge you or think you’re weak for having emotions,” he swore. Tessa gave him a small smile as she hesitantly met his gaze once more. “That will take some getting used to.” She mentioned sheepishly. Her smile fell as her mind brought her back to the harsh reality they would soon be facing.

Tessa forced herself out of Dainin’s embrace, taking his hand in hers and led him to sit on a fallen tree. She knew as soon as they arrive at the pack house, she would have to rehash this fresh wound to everyone again, but she couldn’t do it alone. Dainin needed to know everything sooner than later. “Dainin,” She paused pushing down the nausea building in her throat. “John has betrayed me. He has betrayed Blue Ridge and he is planning an uprising,” She spoke quickly, the weight of needing to get it off her chest was suffocating her. 

Tessa knew Dainin heard her by the menacing growl that escaped his chest. She immediately intertwined their fingers and rested her head on his shoulder in an attempt to calm him. “I wish that was the worst of it, but there’s more,” she said and Dainin released a frustrated sigh. “What has he done,” he asked her quietly, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. Tessa could tell he was fighting to control his wolf.

Tessa sighed, turning herself to face as she pulled his hands into her lap. Although she was looking at Dainin, she could only picture the menacing smile on John’s face as he revealed the horrors of his plan. “John has teamed up with Rogues to try and overthrow me and he was somehow behind the attack on your pack in Arizona,” she paused, collecting her thoughts. “I’m not sure why John would have anything to do with your pack, but I fear he was not acting alone,” she mentioned. Dainin shook his head in confusion as his eyes clouded over. “He must be talking with his wolf,” Tessa’s wolf chimed in, she was also taking this betrayal hard.

This was the last thing either of them expected. Tessa wished she noticed John’s suspicious behavior sooner. He had been traveling a lot during the last couple of months and requested no security escorts. That should have been a red flag. “We can’t blame ourselves for this. John was trusted without a doubt by everyone in the pack. They would have thought we were crazy if we questioned his loyalty,” her wolf assured her, but Tessa was worried they would see this as a lapse in her judgement. He has practically brought a possible army of Rogues to their doorstep with no one’s knowledge.

Dainin placed his hand on Tessa’s thigh, bringing her out of her thoughts. “I’m so sorry Tessa,” he spoke quietly as his thumb ran mindlessly over the thin fabric of her leggings. The sparks coming from their bond warmed her body and his soft gentle voice gave her goosebumps, easing the pain in her heart. “When we first met him my wolf and I thought he seemed familiar. I still can’t place where we’ve seen him, but I know the other afternoon wasn’t the first time we’ve crossed paths,” he informed her, giving her leg a reassuring squeeze. “I should have told you about my suspicions, but you were still learning to trust me, and I know he was a close friend of your father. I didn’t want to disrespect you,” he admitted. 

Tessa gave him a light smile, leaning in to lay a soft kiss on his lips. “Thank you for always being so considerate, but from now on please share your concerns with me. Okay,” she asked, bringing her hand up to caress his cheek. Her thumb grazed over the short hairs of his five o’clock shadow, but when she leaned away, she saw his expression still held worry. “What is it,” she questioned, but Dainin pulled away, running his hand frustratingly through his hair.

Tessa was both surprised and confused when he stood, turning away from her with his body tense. “I should have told you the moment you found me in the woods last night,” Dainin faced her once more with his fists clenched at his sides. “Yesterday afternoon, after our training session, I saw someone watching me from the edge of the forest,” he paused, gauging her reaction. She could only nod for him to continue. “I couldn’t pick up their scent or make out who they were from where I stood, but I should have alerted you instead of keeping it to myself,” he said, and when his eyes met hers she saw they were full of regret. “If I told you there was a possible Rogue sighting you would have never been out alone this morning. If something had happened to you, I would never be able to forgive myself,” he scolded himself and Tessa noticed Dainin’s breathing was heavier and his eyes dark with his wolf shining through.  Dainin growled ferociously at the thought of what could have happened.

Tessa quickly stood, forcing her arms around his waist as her head rested on his heaving chest. “Shhhh, I’m here and I’m okay. I won’t travel alone again. I promise,” she swore, placing soft kisses upon his chest as her hands drew small calming circles. Dainin pulled her impossibly closer, breathing in her scent as if it would be the last time. Hearing this information made it clear to Tessa that they both needed to learn to confide in one another if this relationship was ever going to work, but she was hopeful.

~Dainin~

After a few moments, Dainin was finally able to gain full control of his wolf. If he had his way, they’d be scouring every inch of this forest for those filthy Rogues that dared threaten Tessa’s life. “Not that they were much of a threat to her. Did you see the way she took them down,” His wolf spoke in praise. Dainin’s chest swelled with pride at the strength she had, but he was still reluctant to let his mate go. He knew there was more to her story. “How could John do this to her,” Dainin thought to his wolf, trying to make sense of the man’s madness.

John helped raise Tessa to be the Alpha she was today, compassionate, strong and fearless. “He was her father’s best friend and now he wants to take over Blue Ridge by any means necessary” Dainin asked, but his wolf was silently trying to wrack his own mind in an attempt to make sense of it all. One thing was for sure neither of them were going to stand by and watch their mate be killed.

Just the thought of losing her sent a cold sensation of grief through Dainin’s body. He could feel the rage begin to bubble up inside of him again, but he needed to suppress his anger and focus on Tessa. “If John really was behind the attack and unity of the Rogues in Arizona then I’m sure a war is brewing. We need to be prepared,” his wolf spoke, already thinking about the preparations needed to be made.

Tessa’s soft sobs pulled Dainin from his thoughts. He held her head gently against his chest, placing his palm along the back of her neck. “Talk to me Tess. I’m here,” he cooed, softly rocking her back and forth. He could feel her hands trembling as they were clasped tightly around his waist. His heart clenched as her grief flooded the bond, making tears start to build in his own eyes.

When Tessa finally spoke, it was barely above a broken whisper. “He killed my family Dainin,” she sobbed, and Dainin could only hold her close and listen. “Their death was caused by an ambush with his Rogues and he’s covered it up all these years! Lied to all of us,” She spat the words as if they were poison. He could feel her body shake with anger and heartache. “If I hadn’t stayed behind back then for training, I would have been dead too and the pack would have been his,” Tessa stated, trying to pull away but Dainin refused to break his hold. He could feel her guilt taking over and he couldn’t let her go down that path.

Dainin rested both palms against the sides of her neck wiping away the tears as they fell from her eyes. “Listen to me. Do not feel guilty that you were spared their dreadful fate. The Moon Goddess set you on a different path,” he encouraged, but his heart broke as Tessa shook her head in disagreement. “What if I could have saved them? I could have made a difference,” Tessa sobbed, collapsing against Dainin’s chest, pounding her fists against his skin as she continued to cry.

Dainin made no move to stop her. He would do whatever it took to ease her pain. “My poor little brother,” she cried out in despair. “He was just a child,” she yelled in disgust, but Dainin had no words to console his mate. Eventually, Tessa’s hands fell to her sides in defeat as the old wounds were ripped open with the knowledge her family’s deaths were meaningless acts of betrayal for power. “He will be punished slowly if we ever get our hands on him,” his wolf growled out his promise as their rage continued to build. “We will one way or another,” Dainin swore as he kept his breathing even. Right now, he needed to get his mate back to the pack house before the other Alpha’s arrived. He knew she would not want anyone to see her this way.

Dainin cradled Tessa in his arms as he made his way to the pack house. He wasn’t surprised to see Zander and Cadence waiting anxiously on the steps. When he emerged from the woods, they ran to him with concern covering their faces. “I’ll fill you both in after we get her settled in her room.” he said, looking at Cadence. “Can you order everyone to clear the halls please? I don’t think she’d like many witnesses,” he asked, looking down at Tessa as tears streamed down her face, even after she fell asleep in his arms. Occasionally, she would shudder as another sob unconsciously slipped past her lips. “It’s done,” Cadence spoke taking the lead into the house as Zander scanned over their surroundings for unwanted eyes.

As soon as they entered the room Cadence drew a bath for Tessa and Zander guarded outside the door of her bedroom to ensure they would not be disturbed. Dainin placed her gently on a chair and began to strip her of the bloodied clothes. Tessa’s eyes were open, but he could tell her mind was elsewhere. “I’ve only seen her like this after her family’s accident,” Cadence noted quietly as she took in her Alphas fragile form. Dainin sighed as he carried her to the tub and slowly lowered her into the warm water. Tessa’s eyes closed when he began massaging the shampoo into her hair. He would take care of her like this forever if she let him. “I think she’s too prideful for that so enjoy it while you can,” his wolf sighed, hoping they were able to bring some comfort to their mate.

Cadence stood in the doorway watching him with a small smile on her face. “I am grateful you found her Alpha Monroe. I know it doesn’t seem this way, but Tessa does need you.” Her words made Dainin chuckle at the thought of Tessa needing anybody, but he could live with being the only exception. “I think she is going to need all of us for a little while,” he confessed, hoping Tessa would accept the support and not push everyone away. Once he was done washing her, he quickly dried her off and wrapped her in a robe. He laid her softly on the bed covering her with the down comforter, placing a soft kiss against her forehead while Cadence checked all the windows and the balcony doors to make sure they were locked.

They both were not taking any chances with Tessa’s safety, and as much as his wolf hated the idea, Dainin knew there was only one wolf who would keep Tessa safe when they were gone. “Please ask Elijah to come guard her room. After this morning’s events our list of people we can trust is limited,” he asked and when Tessa was fast asleep Dainin and Cadence stepped out. Elijah was already in position at her door and gave Dainin a reassuring nod. It took everything he had not to send him a narrowed glare in response.

Once in the privacy of the conference room, Dainin filled Cadence and Zander in on everything Tessa shared with him in the woods. To his surprise, Zander remained seated staring hard into the conference table, but knew not to be fooled because if looks could kill the table would be a goner. Cadence, on the other hand, was in a fit of rage as every unoccupied chair was thrown against the wall, her eyes flashing between her usual hues and the bright color of her wolf. Her mate made no move to comfort her so Dainin made sure to stay out of her way. He knew this news would be hard for them to hear and come to terms with. It was best that Tessa wasn’t present so they could react accordingly and get everything off their chests.

Cadence released a final growl, revealing her extended canines, and once the final chair was unrecognizable, she stood breathing heavily. Eventually her growls were replaced by tears of grief and Zander stood to embrace his mate, speaking comforting words. “I can’t believe that bastard! I should have torn him apart in those woods,” Cadence yelled into Zanders chest, but she quickly composed herself when she turned to face Dainin.

“I will take responsibility and inform the pack of everything that’s happened. It’s best it’s done before the other Alphas and Elders arrive,” she stated with a bow. “I believe Tessa would agree to that. Since you are the Beta, I leave it to you,” he said and Cadence rose, wiping the straggling tears from her eyes. “Thank you Alpha. Please let me know when Tessa wakes up,” she requested and with those final words she left the room, eerily calm.

Zander rested his palms on the edge of the conference table, his knuckles turning white from the pressure of his grip. “My Aunt and Uncle were kind and caring leaders. We all adored them,” he quietly said. Dainin could see Zander was having a hard time holding back his emotions. “The fact that this sad excuse of a Beta not only murdered them, but a child as well will cause an uproar. If he wants this pack, he’ll have to take it over all of our dead bodies. You can count on that,” Zander swore as his cold piercing blue gaze met Dainin’s, then he stood tall, crossing his arm over his chest in a bow to excuse himself from the conference room.

If John wanted a war, he just got one, but for now they had to find out what they were dealing with. Hopefully, some of the visiting Alpha’s could enlighten the situation. Dainin noticed they still had some time before everyone arrived. “Time to check on our mate,” he thought as he made his way back to Tessa’s room. They both had a long week ahead of them.